Apparatus, systems and methods for presentation management of erotica-related media content

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are operable to control presentation of an erotica-related media content event. An exemplary embodiment receives information from a user sensor that is configured to sense a physical characteristic of a user viewing the erotica-related media content event, and automatically changes presentation of the erotica-related media content event based on the received information corresponding to the sensed physical characteristic of the viewing user.

BACKGROUND

Media devices, such as a set top box, stereo, television, computersystem, game system, or the like, may be used to present erotica-relatedmedia content events. Teledildonic devices may be configured to receiveoperating instructions such that the teledildonic device may give eroticpleasure to a viewing user. The teledildonic device operatinginstructions may be synchronized to the presented erotica-related mediacontent event such that actions performed by actors of theerotica-related media content event are simulated through theteledildonic device. Accordingly, the viewing user experiences eroticstimulation based on the currently presented subject matter of thepresented erotica-related media content event.

However, the viewing user is limited to controlling the erotica-relatedmedia content event through manual interventions, such as initiatingvarious play functions. Exemplary play functions include fast forward,fast rewind, jump forward, jump backward, or the like. If the viewinguser is otherwise preoccupied with their teledildonic device, it may bevery inconvenient for the viewing user to also manage presentation ofthe erotica-related media content event. Accordingly, there is a need inthe arts to provide a more user-friendly method and apparatus forpresentation control of the erotica-related media content event.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods of controlling presentation of an erotica-relatedmedia content event are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment receivesinformation from a user sensor that is configured to sense a physicalcharacteristic of a user viewing the erotica-related media contentevent, and automatically changes presentation of the erotica-relatedmedia content event based on the received information corresponding tothe sensed physical characteristic of the viewing user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative embodiments are described in detail below withreference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a teledildonic deviceinterface system 100 implemented in a media device; and

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing greater detail of an exemplary mediadevice embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a teledildonic deviceinterface system 100 implemented in a media device 102, such as, but notlimited to, a set top box (STB). Embodiments of the teledildonic deviceinterface system 100 may be implemented in other media devices, such as,but not limited to, a stereo, a surround-sound receiver, a radio, atelevision (TV), a digital video disc (DVD) player, a digital videorecorder (DVR), a game playing device, or a personal computer (PC) thatis configured to receive, process, and/or present an erotica-relatedmedia content event 104.

Embodiments of the teledildonic device interface system 100 areconfigured to automatically adjust presentation of the erotica-relatedmedia content event 104 based upon sensed physical characteristics of aviewing user who is interacting with their teledildonic device 106. Theautomatic changes to presentation of the erotica-related media contentevent 104 and/or the teledildonic device 106 are implemented when theviewing user is in, or enters into, a highly excited state. The highlyexcited state of the viewing user corresponds to a high level of sexualarousal of the viewing user. The highly excited state of the viewinguser is determined from the sensed physical characteristics of theviewing user. Embodiments may also be optionally configured toautomatically adjust one or more operating states or characteristics ofthe teledildonic device 106.

The teledildonic device 106 is a haptic-type device that is configuredto provide physical sensation and/or stimulation to a user of theteledildonic device 106. Generally, the physical sensation and/orstimulation provided by the teledildonic device 106 to the viewing useris erotic in nature. Teledildonic devices 106 may be configured foreither male users or female users. Some types of teledildonic devices106 can be manipulated remotely by another party. Some teledildonicdevices 106 are configured to operate in concert with prerecorded moviesto which the actions of the teledildonic device 106 are synchronized bymeans of a previously-written script. Other teledildonic devices 106 maybe called “bluedildonics,” which allow the teledildonic device 106 to becontrolled remotely via a Bluetooth connection.

In the various embodiments, one or more user sensors 108 sense one ormore physical characteristics of the viewing user. A user sensor 108 amay be a stand-alone device that is physically coupled to, or is inproximity to, the viewing user. Another exemplary user sensor 108 b isan integrated component of the teledildonic device 106 (and may beinterchangeably referred to as a teledildonic user sensor). Informationcorresponding to the sensed physical characteristic of the viewing useris communicated to the media device 102. Based on information providedby the one or more user sensors 108, embodiments of the teledildonicdevice interface system 100 determine if automatic changes topresentation of the erotica-related media content event 104 and/or theteledildonic device 106 should be implemented.

For example, the viewing user may be watching and listening to theerotica-related media content event 104 being presented on a mediapresentation system 110. The erotica-related media content event 104 maybe provided by the media device 102. Concurrently, the viewing user maybe interacting with their teledildonic device 106 which is receivingoperating instructions from information included with theerotica-related media content event 104 and/or from information providedby another source, such as a remote operator, a second viewing user, orfrom a remote location.

For example, an exemplary user sensor 108 may be monitoring the pulserate of the viewing user as they are watching and listening to thepresented erotica-related media content event 104. During a particularlyerotic scene of the erotica-related media content event 104, pulse rateuser sensor 108 may sense a rise in the pulse rate of the viewing user,thus indicating that the viewing user is in, or is entering into, ahighly excited state.

However, the particularly erotic scene of the erotica-related mediacontent event 104 that has excited the viewing user may be relativelyshort. After the particularly erotic scene has concluded, the subjectmatter of the erotica-related media content event 104 may change to aless erotic scene. Accordingly, the viewing user may otherwise becomerelatively disinterested in the next presented scene of theerotica-related media content event 104. Thus, the user may drop out oftheir highly excited state. This change may be undesirable to theviewing user.

However, embodiments of the teledildonic device interface system 100 areconfigured to adjust presentation of the erotica-related media contentevent 104 to maintain and/or to enhance the highly excited state of theviewing user. As the particularly erotic scene is nearing itsconclusion, and based upon the sensed highly excited state of theviewing user, an exemplary embodiment of the teledildonic deviceinterface system 100 is configured to automatically change presentationof the erotica-related media content event 104 so as to help the viewinguser to maintain, or even enhance, their highly excited state.

An exemplary embodiment of the teledildonic device interface system 100implements a jump back function such that presentation of all of, or aportion of, the particularly erotic scene is automatically repeated. Therepeated presentation occurs with a minimal intervening delay. Therepetition of the erotic scene may occur any number of times based onthe sensed physical conditions of the viewing user.

Further, the operating instructions or commands provided to theteledildonic device 106, which may be operating in synchronism with therepeated particularly erotic scene, may also be repeated or otherwisemaintained. For example, the teledildonic device 106 may be operated toprovide additional amount of, or a lesser amount of, erotic stimulationto the viewing user to help the viewing user to maintain, or evenenhance, their highly excited state.

Presentation of the erotica-related media content event 104 isautomatically controlled until there is a detectable change in one ormore sensed physical conditions of the viewing user that would tend toindicate that the viewing user is no longer interested in continued orrepeated presentation of the particularly erotic scene. That is,embodiments of the teledildonic device interface system 100 returns tonormal presentation of the erotica-related media content event 104 whensensed physical characteristics of the viewing user tends to indicatethat presentation of the particularly erotic scene should no longer berepeated.

For example, in the event that the monitored pulse rate of the viewinguser has decreased during presentation of the particularly erotic scene,and/or is below some pulse rate threshold, embodiments of theteledildonic device interface system 100 are configured to return to thecontinued presentation of the next scene of the erotica-related mediacontent event 104. That is, continued or repeated presentation of theparticularly erotic scene ends.

Some embodiments are configured to access and present a different eroticscene of the erotica-related media content event 104. For example, thedifferent erotic scene of the erotica-related media content event 104may be stored in a suitable memory medium so that it is readilyaccessible. Alternatively, a special locator, tag, or the like maydelineate the different erotic scene that is included in theerotica-related media content event 104. In response to detecting theconclusion of the currently presented erotic scene, concurrently withsensed physical conditions of the viewing user indicating that theviewing user is in a highly excited state, the teledildonic deviceinterface system 100 accesses and presents the different erotic sceneupon conclusion of the currently presented erotic scene.

Alternatively, or additionally, a different erotic scene from adifferent erotica-related media content event 104 may be accessed andpresented. For example, the viewing user of the media device 102 mayhave previously stored one or more different erotic scenes that theyparticularly favor. In response to detecting the conclusion of thecurrently presented erotic scene, concurrently with sensed physicalconditions of the viewing user indicating a highly excited state, theteledildonic device interface system 100 accesses and presents thedifferent erotic scene upon conclusion of the currently presented eroticscene. In some embodiments, the media device 102 may be configured toestablish a communication link 112 to an external device 114, such as aninternet site. The different erotic scene may be accessed from theexternal device 114 for presentation, via a communication network 116.

The exemplary media device 102 is communicatively coupled to one or moredifferent devices of the media presentation system 110 that includes avisual display device 118, such as a television (hereafter, genericallya TV), and an audio presentation device 120, such as a surround soundreceiver (hereafter, generically, a stereo or receiver). Other types ofoutput devices may also be coupled to the media device 102, includingthose providing any sort of visual and/or audible stimuli sensible bythe viewing user, such as the exemplary head phones 122 and/or theexemplary head mounted device (HMD) 124

The video portion of the erotica-related media content event 104 isdisplayed on the display 126 of the visual display device 118.Alternatively, the video portion of the erotica-related media contentevent 104 may be presented to the viewing user on a viewer of the HMD124. The HMD 124 may be configured to present three dimensional (3-D)video content.

The audio portion of the streamed program content is reproduced assounds by one or more TV speakers (not shown). Alternatively, oradditionally, the audio portion of the erotica-related media contentevent 104 may reproduced as sounds by a plurality of speakers 128 of theaudio device 120 and/or the head phones 122. The volume output of theaudio portion may be controllable at the visual display device 118,and/or may be controllable at the media device 102.

In some embodiments, the volume level of the reproduced audio portion ofthe erotica-related media content event 104 may be adjusted when thesensed physical conditions of the viewing user indicating that theviewing user is in a highly excited state. For example, the volume levelmay be increased.

The media device 102 may be communicatively coupled to the devices ofthe media presentation system 110 using any suitable communication link130 and/or communication medium. An exemplary communication link 130 isa wire-based connector that communicates the video and audio portions ofthe erotica-related media content event 104 to the devices of the mediapresentation system 110. Alternatively, or additionally, thecommunication link 130 may be a wireless link that employs a suitablewireless communication medium, such as radio frequency (RF) and/orinfrared (IR) signals.

The teledildonic device 106 may be optionally communicatively coupled tothe media device 102 using a suitable communication link 132. Thecommunication link 132 may employ a wire-based medium or a wirelessmedium. In embodiments of the teledildonic device 106 that have one ormore user sensors 108 b integrated therein, the user sensors 108 b maycommunicate information corresponding to the sensed physicalcharacteristics of the viewing user to the media device 102 over thecommunication link 132.

Alternatively, or additionally, one or more stand-alone user sensors 108a may be used to sense physical characteristics of the viewing user.Such user sensors 108 a may be communicatively coupled to the mediadevice 102 using the communication link 134. communication link 134 mayemploy a wire-based medium or a wireless medium.

Alternatively, the stand-alone user sensor 108 a may be communicativelycoupled to the teledildonic device 106 using a suitable communicationlink 136. The communication link 136 may employ a wire-based medium or awireless medium to communicate the information corresponding the sensedphysical characteristics to the media device 102.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing greater detail of an exemplary mediadevice 102. The non-limiting exemplary media device 102 comprises amedia content stream interface 202, a processor system 204, a memory206, a program buffer 208, an optional digital video recorder (DVR) 210,a presentation device interface 212, an optional remote interface 214,an optional remote device interface 216, an optional user sensorinterface 218, and an optional teledildonic device interface 220. Thememory 206 comprises portions for storing the media device logic 222,the media presentation control logic 224, the user sensor logic 226, andthe teledildonic device logic 228. In some embodiments, the media devicelogic 222, the media presentation control logic 224, the user sensorlogic 226, and/or the teledildonic device logic 228 may be integratedtogether, and/or may be integrated with other logic. In otherembodiments, some or all of these memory and other data manipulationfunctions may be provided by and using remote server or other electronicdevices suitably connected via the Internet or otherwise to a clientdevice. Other media devices may include some, or may omit some, of theabove-described media processing components. Further, additionalcomponents not described herein may be included in alternativeembodiments.

The functionality of the media device 102, here a set top box, is nowbroadly described. A media content provider may provide theerotica-related media content event 104 in one or more media contentstreams multiplexed together in one or more transport channels. Thetransport channels with the erotica-related media content event 104 arecommunicated to the media device 102 from a media system sourced from aremote head end facility (not shown) operated by the media contentprovider. For example, if the media content provider providesprogramming via a satellite-based communication system, the media device102 is configured to receive one or more broadcasted satellite signalsdetected by an antenna (not shown). Alternatively, or additionally, theerotica-related media content event 104 can be received from one or moredifferent sources, such as, but not limited to, a cable system, a radiofrequency (RF) communication system, or the Internet.

The erotica-related media content event 104 is received by the mediacontent stream interface 202. One or more tuners 230 in the mediacontent stream interface 202 selectively tune the media content streamtransporting the erotica-related media content event 104 in accordancewith instructions received from the processor system 204. The processorsystem 204, executing the media device logic 222 and based upon arequest for presentation of the erotica-related media content event 104as specified by the viewing user, parses out media content associatedwith the erotica-related media content event 104. The erotica-relatedmedia content event 104 is then assembled into a stream of video and/oraudio information which may be stored by the program buffer 208 suchthat the erotica-related media content event 104 can be streamed out tothe devices of the media presentation 110, via the presentation deviceinterface 212. Alternatively, or additionally, the erotica-related mediacontent event 104 may be saved into the DVR 210 for later presentation.The DVR 210 may be directly provided in, locally connected to, orremotely connected to, the media device 102.

Alternatively, the erotica-related media content event 104 may bereceived from a memory medium that is coupled to, or accessible by, themedia device 102. For example, the erotica-related media content event104 may be stored in a digital video disc (DVD) that is accessed by aDVD player, may be stored in a video cassette recorder (VCR) tape thatis accessible by a VCR, may be stored in a flash type memory of auniform serial bus (USB) memory device, memory card or the like, or maybe stored in any other suitable memory medium. The memory medium and/orthe accessing device may be communicatively coupled to the media device102 to provide access to the stored erotica-related media content event104.

Alternatively, the media device 102 may establish a communication link112 to a remote device 114, via the remote device interface 216. Then,the erotica-related media content event 104 may be downloaded from theremote device 114 to the media device 102 over the communication network116. The communication network 116 is illustrated as a genericcommunication system. In some embodiments, the communication network 116comprises a cellular telephone system, such as a radio frequency (RF)wireless system. Accordingly, the media device 102 includes a suitabletransceiver. Alternatively, the network 138 may be a telephony system,the Internet, a Wi-fi system, a microwave communication system, a fiberoptics system, an intranet system, a local access network (LAN) system,an Ethernet system, a cable system, a radio frequency system, a cellularsystem, an infrared system, a satellite system, or a hybrid systemcomprised of multiple types of communication media. Additionally, otherembodiments of the media device 102 may be implemented to communicateusing other types of communication technologies, such as but not limitedto, digital subscriber loop (DSL), X.25, Internet Protocol (IP),Ethernet, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) and asynchronoustransfer mode (ATM). Also, some embodiments of the media device 102 maybe configured to communicate over combination systems having a pluralityof segments which employ different formats for each segment that employdifferent technologies on each segment.

The exemplary media device 102 may be further configured to receivecommands from the viewing user. The commands may be generated by aremote control 232. The remote control 232 includes one or morecontrollers 234 on its surface. The user, by actuating one or more ofthe controllers 234, causes the remote control 232 to generate andtransmit commands, via a wireless signal 236, to the media device 102.The wireless signal is received by the remote interface 214. Thereceived commands control the media device 102 and/or control thedevices of the media presentation system 110. The wireless signal 236may be an IR signal or an RF signal.

In the various embodiments, the remote control 232 may be furtherconfigured to enable or disable the teledildonic device interface system100. Thus, the viewing user may choose to view the erotica-related mediacontent event 104 without the benefit of the teledildonic device 106.Alternatively, the viewing user may choose to view the erotica-relatedmedia content event 104 with the benefit of the teledildonic device 106,but without the benefit of the presentation control provided by theteledildonic device interface system 100. One or more of the controllers234 may be configured to enable or disable operation of the teledildonicdevice interface system 100. Alternatively, or additionally, a graphicaluser interface (GUI) may be presented on the display 126 such that theviewing user, by operating the remote control 232, is able to navigateabout the presented GUI and configure operation of the teledildonicdevice interface system 100.

Additionally, or alternatively, the remote control 232 may be configuredto control one or more operating functions and/or characteristics of theteledildonic device 106. For example, the viewing user may reconfigurethe teledildonic device interface system 100 to operate the teledildonicdevice 106 to provide more or less physical stimulation. Thus, theremote control 232 may be a universal type remote that is configured tocontrol operation of multiple devices.

The above processes performed by the media device 102 are generallyimplemented by the processor system 204 while executing the media devicelogic 222. Thus, the media device 102 may perform a variety of functionsin addition to controlling presentation of the erotica-related mediacontent event 104 based on the information corresponding to the sensedphysical characteristics of the viewing user that has been provided bythe one or more user sensors 108.

For example, but not limited to, the media device logic 222 may beconfigured to establish an Internet-type communication link 112 to theexternal device 114, via the remote device interface 216. Then, themedia device logic 222 may be configured to permit the user to navigateabout the Internet web site operated by the external device 114 so as toaccess the erotica-related media content event 104.

As another example, the media device 102 may be a personal computer orthe like. Accordingly, the media device logic 222 may comprise theoperating system used by the personal computer.

As yet another example, the media device 102 may be a set top box thatis configured to present other types of media content events.Accordingly, the media device logic 222 may comprise the logic thatenables presentation of the different types of media content events. Insome embodiments, the media device 102 may be a gaming-type device.

When the viewing user is watching the erotica-related media contentevent 104 and is concurrently enjoying their teledildonic device 106,the user sensors 108 are monitoring various physical characteristics ofthe viewing user. Information corresponding to the sensed physicalcharacteristics of the viewing user is then communicated to the mediadevice 102.

For external user sensors 108 a, the information corresponding to thesensed physical characteristics of the viewing user is received at theuser sensor interface 218. Accordingly, the user sensor interface 218 isconfigured to communicatively couple to the particular type of usersensor 108 a that is monitoring the viewing user.

The example teledildonic device 106 includes one or more internallyintegrated user sensors 108 b. Accordingly, the informationcorresponding to the sensed physical characteristics of the viewing usermay be communicated to the media device 102 using the same communicationmedium used to provide control signals to the teledildonic device 106.

In some embodiments, a separate communication link (not shown) betweenthe integrated user sensors 108 b of the teledildonic device 106 may beused to communicate the information corresponding to the sensed physicalcharacteristics of the viewing user to the media device 102. Forexample, but note limited to, some media devices 102 may not beconfigured to interact with the teledildonic device 106. Suchembodiments of the teledildonic device interface system 100 monitor thesensed physical characteristics of the viewing user, and only controlpresentation of the erotica-related media content event 104 based on theinformation corresponding to the sensed physical characteristics of theviewing user.

A variety of different types of user sensors 108 may be used by thevarious embodiments of the teledildonic device interface system 100 toprovide information corresponding to the sensed physical characteristicsof the viewing user. Non-limiting examples of user sensors 108 areconfigured to detect body temperature, heart rate, pulse rate, pupildilation, sweating, tearing, and/or other fluidic discharges. Anexemplary user sensor 108 may be configured to monitor brain activity ofthe viewing user. Some user sensors 108 may be configured to monitorenvironmental conditions in proximity to the viewing user, such ashumidity near the user or dampness of the apparel worn by the viewinguser.

The processor system 204, executing the user sensor logic 226, processesand interprets the received information corresponding to the sensedphysical characteristics of the viewing user. Based upon the sensedphysical characteristics, automatic changes to presentation of theerotica-related media content event 104 and/or the teledildonic device106 are made.

In some embodiments, changes in the sensed physical characteristics ofthe viewing user may be used to determine if presentation of theerotica-related media content event 104 should be controlled. Forexample, the magnitude of a change in a sensed physical characteristicover some duration could be determined by the processor system 204. Ifthe change magnitude is greater than a predefined threshold, and/or ifthe determined change occurs within some predefined duration, then theprocessor system 204 may conclude that the viewing user is in a highlyexcited state.

For example, but not limited to, if the viewing user's heart rateincreases from a resting rate to 180 beats per minute, and/or changes by30% or more, then the teledildonic device interface system 100 maydetermine that the viewing user is likely in a highly excited state.Accordingly, an exemplary embodiment of the teledildonic deviceinterface system 100 automatically changes presentation of theerotica-related media content event 104 so as to help the viewing userto maintain, prolong, and/or increase their highly excited state. Anysuitable change in a sensed physical characteristic of the viewing usermay be used by the various embodiments to determine that the viewinguser is in a highly excited state.

In other situations, a magnitude of the sensed physical characteristicsof the viewing user may be used to determine if presentation of theerotica-related media content event 104 should be controlled. In suchembodiments, if the magnitude is greater than a predefined threshold,then the processor system 204 may conclude that the viewing user is in ahighly excited state. For example, but not limited to, if the viewinguser's heart rate reaches or exceeds 180 beats per minute, then theviewing user is likely in a highly excited state. That is, the changedpresentation of the erotica-related media content event occurs inresponse to the heart rate of the viewing user increasing to apredetermined value which corresponds to a highly excited state of theviewing user. Accordingly, an exemplary embodiment of the teledildonicdevice interface system 100 automatically changes presentation of theerotica-related media content event 104 so as to help the viewing userto maintain, prolong, and/or increase their highly excited state. Anysuitable magnitude of a sensed physical characteristic of the viewinguser may be used by the various embodiments to determine that theviewing user is in a highly excited state.

Similarly, changes in, or a magnitude of, a sensed physicalcharacteristic of the viewing user may be used to return to normalpresentation of the erotica-related media content event 104. Forexample, an embodiment of the teledildonic device interface system 100may be automatically repeating presentation of a particularly eroticscene to maintain the highly excited state of the viewing user. At somelater time, the sensed physical characteristics of the viewing user maychange so as to indicate that the viewing user is no longer in a highlyexcited state, such as after the viewing user experiences a sexualorganism. For example, but not limited to, the viewing user's heart ratemay decrease to a low rate (such as 80 beats per minute), may decreaseby some predefined amount during a predefined duration, or may decreaseby some percentage. In response to determining the change in the sensedphysical characteristic of the viewing user, the processor system 204may determine that the viewing user is no longer in a highly excitedstate. Accordingly, normal presentation of the erotica-related mediacontent event 104 may resume presentation of the erotica-related mediacontent event beginning at a subsequent scene of the erotica-relatedmedia content event.

In the various embodiments, the processor system 204, executing themedia presentation control logic 224, adjusts or changes presentation ofthe erotica-related media content event 104 after determining that theviewing user is in, or has entered into, a highly excited state. In anexemplary embodiment, the start and end of the particular erotic scenethat has excited the viewing user is demarked by a suitable identifier,such as a time stamp, a tag, or the like. That is, the processor system204 is able to determine the start and end of the erotic scene.

In response to determining that the viewing user is in, or has enteredinto, a highly excited state, the processor system 204 rewinds orotherwise returns the erotica-related media content event 104 to thestart of the erotic scene once the end of the erotic scene has beenreached.

In some embodiments, the return to the start of the erotic scene occursa single time. Alternatively, the process or rewinding and/or returningto the start of the erotic scene (after the current presentation of theerotic scene concludes) may be repeated any number of times so long athe viewing user remains in the highly excited state.

In some embodiments, presentation of the erotica-related media contentevent 104 jumps backward, that is “rewinds,” by a predefined duration.The predefined rewind duration may be user adjustable or may be fixed.For example, the predefined rewind duration may be set at three minutesof presentation time. Thus, presentation of the erotica-related mediacontent event 104 jumps back by three minutes so that all of, or aportion of, the highly erotic scene is repeated.

In some embodiments, the rewind duration may be adjustable by theprocessor system 204 based on one or more sensed physicalcharacteristics of the viewing user. For example, but not limited to,the processor system 204 may define the rewind duration based upon aduration in which the user sensors 108 sense a transformation of theviewing user from a normal or resting state to the highly excited state.That is, when the viewing user initially becomes highly aroused, orbegins to become highly aroused, the processor system 204 may determinethe rewind duration based on that time or point in the erotica-relatedmedia content event 104.

In some embodiments, upon determining that the viewing user is enteringinto a highly excited state, or is in a highly excited state, the eroticscene may be stored in the buffer 208 and/or the DVR 210 as a discretesegment. When the erotic scene concludes, current presentation of theerotica-related media content event 104 is paused or is otherwisestopped. The stored erotic scene segment may then be retrieved andpresented from its start. When the viewing user is no longer in thehighly excited state, the presentation of the erotica-related mediacontent event 104 may be resumed from its paused or stopped location, ormay be resumed at a subsequent scene, at another selected scene, or atanother point of the erotica-related media content event.

In some embodiments, upon determining that the viewing user is enteringinto a highly excited state, or is entering into a highly excited state,the different erotic scene may be accessed from the erotica-relatedmedia content event 104, from the buffer 208, and/or the from the DVR210. When the currently presented erotic scene concludes, presentationof the erotica-related media content event 104 is paused or is otherwisestopped, and the different erotic scene is accessed and is presentedfrom its start. For example, a different erotic scene with the sameactors may be available for presentation. When the viewing user is nolonger in the highly excited state, the presentation of theerotica-related media content event 104 may be resumed from its pausedor stopped location, or may be resumed at a subsequent scene, at anotherselected scene, or at another point of the erotica-related media contentevent.

In some embodiments, the different erotic scene may be accessed andretrieved from the remote device 114. For example, but not limited to,the retrieved different erotic scene may be retrieved from the remotedevice 114 that is operating as an Internet site. Or, the differenterotic scene may be retrieved from an memory medium that is accessibleby the media device 102.

In embodiments wherein the media device 102 is communicatively coupledto the teledildonic device 106, one or more operating characteristics ofthe teledildonic device 106 may be modified or changed by the mediadevice 102. In such embodiments, the processor system 204, executing theteledildonic device logic 228, may change operation of the teledildonicdevice 106 so as to increase physical stimulation of the viewing user inresponse to determining that the viewing user is in a highly excitedstate.

Alternatively, the processor system 204 may change operation of theteledildonic device 106 so as to decrease physical stimulation of theviewing user. Accordingly, the highly excited state of the viewing usermay be prolonged while the media presentation system 110 changespresentation of the erotica-related media content event 104.

Information to control operation of the teledildonic device 106 may beobtained from a variety of sources. In some embodiments, controlinformation that is configured to control the teledildonic device 106may be included in the erotica-related media content event 104, such asin metadata or as separate data. In some situations, the controlinformation may be pre-stored in the memory 206 and accessed as neededto maintain, heighten, or decrease the arousal state of the viewinguser. In other situations, the remote device 114 may provide the controlinformation that is used by the media device 102 to control theteledildonic device 106.

In some embodiments, the viewing user may not be using the teledildonicdevice 106 while viewing the erotica-related media content event 104.Embodiments of the teledildonic device interface system 100 may beconfigured to automatically change presentation of the erotica-relatedmedia content event based on the received information corresponding tothe sensed physical characteristic of the viewing user in the absence ofthe teledildonic device 106.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of theteledildonic device interface system 100 are merely possible examples ofimplementations of the invention. Many variations and modifications maybe made to the above-described embodiments. All such modifications andvariations are intended to be included herein within the scope of thisdisclosure and protected by the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method to control presentation of anerotica-related media content event by a media device, the methodcomprising: receiving information from a user sensor that is configuredto sense a physical characteristic of a user viewing the erotica-relatedmedia content event, wherein the information corresponds to a magnitudeof the sensed physical characteristic; determining that the viewing useris entering into a highly excited state based on the receivedinformation from the user sensor while the user is viewing a currentlypresented erotic scene of the erotica-related media content event,wherein the determining that the viewing user is entering into thehighly excited state comprises: comparing the magnitude of the sensedphysical characteristic with a predefined threshold; and determiningthat the viewing user is entering into a highly excited state when themagnitude of the sensed physical characteristic changes from a valuethat is less than the predefined threshold to a magnitude that isgreater than the predefined threshold; continuing presentation of thecurrently presented erotic scene of the erotica-related media contentevent that is being presented in response to determining that theviewing user has entered the highly excited state, wherein the currentlypresented erotic scene is included in the erotica-related media contentevent and is defined by a start and a conclusion in the erotica-relatedmedia content event, and wherein the currently presented erotic scene ispresented until the conclusion of the currently presented erotic sceneof the erotica-related media content event; and automatically changing,by the media device, presentation of the erotica-related media contentevent based on the received information corresponding to the sensedphysical characteristic of the viewing user, wherein automaticallychanging presentation of the erotica-related media content event by themedia device comprises: determining if the viewing user remains in thehighly excited state at the conclusion of the currently presented eroticscene of the erotica-related media content event based on the receivedinformation from the user sensor, wherein the user is determined toremain in the highly excited state when the magnitude of the sensedphysical characteristic remains greater than the predefined threshold;repeating presentation of the erotic scene of the erotica-related mediacontent event after the conclusion of the currently presented eroticscene of the erotica-related media content event in response todetermining that the viewing user remains in the highly excited state;and continuing presentation of the erotica-related media content eventafter the conclusion of the currently presented erotic scene of theerotica-related media content event in response to determining that theviewing user is no longer in the highly excited state, wherein the useris determined to be no longer in the highly excited state when themagnitude of the sensed physical characteristic becomes less than thepredefined threshold.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:determining that the viewing user is leaving the highly excited statebased on the received information from the user sensor; and resumingpresentation of the erotica-related media content event beginning at asubsequent scene of the erotica-related media content event in responseto determining that the viewing user has left the highly excited state.3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining that theviewing user is remaining in the highly excited state during the changedpresentation of the erotica-related media content event; and continuingthe changed presentation of the erotica-related media content event inresponse to determining that the viewing user remains in the highlyexcited state.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein repeating presentationof the erotic scene further comprises: identifying a start of the eroticscene, wherein presentation of the repeated erotic scene begins upon theconclusion of the presentation of the currently presented erotic scene.5. The method of claim 1, wherein repeating presentation of the eroticscene further comprises: rewinding the currently presented erotic sceneby a predefined rewind duration upon the conclusion of the presentationof the currently presented erotic scene.
 6. The method of claim 1,further comprising: controlling operation of a teledildonic device,wherein control of the teledildonic device is synchronized with thechanged presentation of the erotica-related media content event.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: monitoring a heart rate of theviewing user, wherein the information from the user sensor correspondsto the sensed heart rate of the viewing user, and wherein the changedpresentation of the erotica-related media content event occurs inresponse to the heart rate of the viewing user increasing to apredetermined value corresponding to the highly excited state of theviewing user.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receivingthe erotica-related media content event at the media device that iscommunicatively coupled to a presentation device; and communicating theerotica-related media content event from the media device to thepresentation device, wherein the presentation device presents theerotica-related media content event to the viewing user, wherein theuser sensor is communicatively coupled to the media device, and whereinthe information from the user sensor is received at the media device. 9.The method of claim 8, wherein receiving the erotica-related mediacontent event further comprises: receiving the erotica-related mediacontent event at the media device from a digital video disc (DVD) playerthat is communicatively coupled to the media device, wherein theerotica-related media content event resides on a DVD, and whereinautomatically changing presentation of the erotica-related media contentis based on the DVD.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:establishing a communication link between the media device and a remotedevice over a communication network after presentation of theerotica-related media content event begins; and continuing presentationof the currently presented erotic scene until a conclusion of thecurrently presented erotic scene; retrieving a different erotic scenefrom the remote device; and presenting the different erotic scene of adifferent erotica-related media content event upon the conclusion of thepresentation of the currently presented erotic scene.
 11. A method tocontrol presentation of an erotica-related media content event by amedia device, the method comprising: receiving information from a usersensor that is configured to sense a physical characteristic of a userviewing the erotica-related media content event, wherein the informationcorresponds to a magnitude of the sensed physical characteristic;determining that the viewing user is entering into a highly excitedstate based on the received information from the user sensor while theuser is viewing a currently presented erotic scene of theerotica-related media content event, wherein the determining that theviewing user is entering into the highly excited state comprises:comparing the magnitude of the sensed physical characteristic with apredefined threshold; and determining that the viewing user is enteringinto a highly excited state when the magnitude of the sensed physicalcharacteristic changes from a value that is less than the predefinedthreshold to a magnitude that is greater than the predefined threshold;continuing presentation of the currently presented erotic scene of theerotica-related media content event that is being presented in responseto determining that the viewing user has entered the highly excitedstate, wherein the currently presented erotic scene is presented until aconclusion of the currently presented erotic scene; and automaticallychanging presentation by the media device of the erotica-related mediacontent event based on the received information corresponding to thesensed physical characteristic of the viewing user, whereinautomatically changing presentation of the erotica-related media contentevent further comprises: continuing presentation of the currentlypresented erotic scene until a conclusion of the currently presentederotic scene in response to determining that the viewing user hasentered into the highly excited state; determining if the viewing userremains in the highly excited state at the conclusion of the currentlypresented erotic scene based on the received information from the usersensor; and automatically presenting at least one of a different eroticscene of a different erotica-related media content event and a differenterotic scene of the erotica-related media content event upon theconclusion of the presentation of the currently presented erotic scenein response to determining that the viewing user remains in the highlyexcited state at the conclusion of the currently presented erotic scene.12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: establishing acommunication link to a remote device over a communication network afterpresentation of the erotica-related media content event begins; andretrieving the different erotic scene from the remote device.
 13. Amethod to control presentation of an erotica-related media content eventby a media device, the method comprising: sensing a physical state of auser viewing the erotica-related media content event; determining thatthe viewing user is entering into a highly excited state, whereindetermining that the viewing user is entering into the highly excitedstate comprises: comparing a magnitude of the sensed physical state ofthe user with a predefined threshold; and determining that the viewinguser is entering into the highly excited state when the magnitude of thesensed physical state changes from a value that is less than thepredefined threshold to a magnitude that is greater than the predefinedthreshold; continuing presentation of a currently presented erotic sceneof the erotica-related media content event until a conclusion of theerotic scene in response to determining that the viewing user hasentered the highly excited state; determining if the viewing userremains in the highly excited state at the conclusion of the currentlypresented erotic scene, wherein determining if the viewing user remainsin the highly excited state comprises: comparing the magnitude of thesensed physical characteristic with the predefined threshold; anddetermining that the viewing user remains in the highly excited statewhen the value of the magnitude of the sensed physical state remainsgreater than the predefined threshold; and automatically changing, bythe media device, presentation of the erotica-related media contentevent based upon the conclusion of the currently presented erotic scenein response to determining that the viewing user remains in the highlyexcited state.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: repeatingpresentation of the erotic scene of the erotica-related media contentevent in response to determining that the viewing user remains in thehighly excited state.
 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:controlling operation of a teledildonic device, wherein control of theteledildonic device is synchronized with the changed presentation of theerotica-related media content event.